If you own or manage a restaurant, you know that keeping tables full is only part of the battle. Whether you're fighting rising food costs, dealing with labor shortages, or just trying to increase your daily ticket volume, boosting restaurant sales is about more than just working harder. It’s about working smarter.
In this guide, we’ll break down actionable ways to increase revenue in your restaurant using real-world strategies that are working right now. From optimizing your menu to launching a subscription-based loyalty app with Subport, you’ll discover how to increase daily orders, improve retention, and grow your bottom line without adding stress.
Why Restaurant Revenue Growth is So Challenging Right Now
Let’s face it. The industry has changed.
Customer loyalty is fickle. Delivery apps take a painful cut. Competition is everywhere, and digital-first brands are training customers to expect mobile ordering, rewards, and lightning-fast service.
To stay ahead, restaurant owners have to think beyond the plate. That means adopting new sales strategies, leveraging automation, and building recurring revenue models that bring in money every month whether the dining room is packed or not.
How to Increase Revenue in Your Restaurant: Strategy Breakdown
1. Launch a Subscription or Membership Program
This is one of the most underrated growth levers in hospitality right now. When you offer your customers a way to subscribe to monthly perks, prepaid meals, or exclusive VIP rewards, you immediately start building predictable recurring revenue.
Subport makes it incredibly easy for restaurants to do exactly that. With your own branded mobile app powered by Subport, you can offer:
- Builds your email and SMS list automatically
- Happy hour perks for VIP members
- Coffee or drink punch passes
- Birthday rewards and loyalty incentives
- Prepaid credit bundles that increase spend
And all of it is fully integrated with Square POS, so redemptions are easy and staff doesn’t have to jump through hoops.
Restaurant owners using Subport have seen a noticeable increase in daily order volume simply because customers who subscribe come back more often. It turns casual diners into repeat regulars, and repeat regulars into brand evangelists.
2. Improve Customer Frequency with Push Notifications
Let’s say you want to fill tables on a slow Tuesday or push a limited-time special. How are you letting your regulars know?
With Subport’s built-in push notification system, you can reach every app subscriber instantly. Send out flash deals, remind members to redeem unused meals, or bring customers back in with clever promotions like “Free appetizer today only.”
Compared to email marketing, push notifications see drastically higher open rates and same-day conversions. That means more covers per night, and a more predictable flow of orders throughout the week.
3. Boost Check Averages with Upsells and Bundles
Another way to raise revenue in your restaurant is to increase what each guest spends.
Inside your Subport-powered app, you can create limited-time bundles, meal deals, and tiered memberships that encourage guests to spend more. For example:
- $25/month for 4 meals
- $50/month for 4 meals plus drinks and desserts
- $75/month VIP plan with skip-the-line ordering and exclusive invites
This structure not only increases spend but also gives you upfront cash flow while reducing marketing costs to win customers again.
When people commit to a plan, they’re far more likely to keep coming back.
How to Increase Sales in a Restaurant Without Hiring More Staff
Sometimes the key to higher sales isn't more labor. It's more automation.
Subport helps you drive revenue without increasing operational complexity. Here's how:
- Automated billing: No chasing payments or managing punch cards. Members are billed monthly.
- Real-time redemption tracking: Customers check in and redeem from their phone.
- Self-service sign-up: People can join your membership directly through your website or in-store QR code.
- Analytics dashboard: See who’s redeeming what, how often, and how much revenue you’re locking in monthly.
It’s sales growth without friction. And it works whether you’re a full-service restaurant, quick-serve, or even a bar or café.
Don’t Rely on Foot Traffic Alone
The biggest threat to restaurant growth today is dependence on unpredictable walk-ins.
You might have a killer location and loyal locals, but weather, traffic, and news cycles can kill sales overnight. Smart operators are shifting toward direct-to-consumer loyalty models that reduce dependency on foot traffic and third-party apps.
Subport helps you own the relationship with your customer. When people use your branded mobile app to place orders, manage memberships, or access perks, you're no longer renting space on DoorDash or hoping for Google to send traffic. You're building a direct line of communication and cash flow.
Improve Restaurant Sales with Exclusive Offers and Gamification
Customers love feeling like insiders. Subport gives you the tools to make that happen.
Use tiered loyalty rewards, birthday specials, and redemption milestones to keep guests engaged. Offer challenges like “Order 3 times this month and get a free dessert” or hidden menu items only accessible in your app.
This gamified approach keeps your restaurant top of mind and encourages repeat behavior that translates directly into revenue.
The Long-Term ROI of a Branded App
Unlike print ads or flyers, a branded app delivers long-term ROI. With Subport, once your app is launched, it becomes a revenue-generating asset that:
- Builds your email and SMS list automatically
- Increases customer retention
- Grows average order value
- Reduces churn
- Makes your restaurant look more modern and professional
You don’t need to be a tech expert or hire developers. Subport handles the heavy lifting, and your app integrates directly with the tools you already use, especially Square.
Why Subport is the Best Choice for Restaurant Owners
Subport was built for restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and other brick-and-mortar food service businesses that want to stay competitive. Our platform is tailored to increase restaurant sales through:
- Deep Square POS integration
- Fully branded mobile apps (your logo, your name)
- Unlimited plan types and tiers
- Custom loyalty and redemption rules
- Push notifications and CRM automation
- Flat monthly pricing with no per-transaction fees
Whether you’re a fast casual brand with two locations or a family-owned restaurant looking to build customer loyalty, Subport gives you the tools to turn occasional diners into monthly subscribers.
How to Get Started
Book a free demo today and we’ll show you how easy it is to launch your own restaurant membership app.
You’ll see exactly how to:
- Offer meal plans and subscriptions
- Set up perks and loyalty programs
- Track usage and retention
- Boost daily order volume
- Automate billing and customer communication
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to boost restaurant sales?
The most effective way is to build a subscription or membership program using a branded mobile app. This locks in repeat visits and generates predictable recurring revenue.
How can I increase revenue in my restaurant without raising prices?
Focus on increasing order frequency and bundling. Offering prepaid packages or membership perks through Subport encourages repeat visits and upsells without increasing per-item prices.
What types of restaurants work best with Subport?
Quick-service, fast casual, bars, and full-service restaurants all benefit from Subport. If you have regular customers or want to grow a loyal following, Subport will work for you.
How does Subport integrate with my POS?
Subport integrates directly with Square POS, syncing customer data, redemptions, and transactions in real time for a seamless experience.
Will my staff need training?
Minimal. Subport is designed to be intuitive and works in the background. Most redemptions and interactions happen directly on the customer’s phone.
How much does it cost?
Subport offers flat monthly pricing. There are no per-order fees and you can create unlimited plans and customer tiers. Book a demo to see pricing options.
